Maghreb Edition

Libya’s Woes and Rivalries: a Divided Congress, the Militias and the FederalistsF

Posted On 11 July 2014

Number of times this article was read : 485

The North Africa Journal | Tension remains high in Libya. Factions with opposing ideologies and strong men at their top are facing each others with devastating potential for the future of the country.

In the Sirte region, tension has recently reached its highest level when troops from two feuding parties faced each other’s along the Oued Lehmar, which acts as the historical natural border of Cyrenaica on its western front, separating it from its rivals linked to Greater Tripoli. On one side were men from the Libya Shield Force militia of the center of Doraa. They were acting on behalf of the central government as enforcers seeking to discipline the Eastern Federalists. On the other side were the forces of the east, united under the Federalist Ibrahim Jathran, who has championed the autonomy movement in Libya. Continue here | Click here to subscribe | Contact us to discuss this topic

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco Becomes Africa’s Top-Ranked Industrial EconomyF

Morocco has become Africa’s leading industrial economy, followed by South Africa and Egypt. The African Development Bank (AfDB) ranked Tunisia fourth, reinforcing North Africa’s position as one of the continent’s principal industrial regions. The AfDB’s 2025 Africa Industrialization Index placed Morocco ahead of South Africa as Africa’s highest-ranked industrial economy.

German Think Tank Accuses the UAE of Destabilizing Africa✓

A report published by Germany’s Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik accuses the United Arab Emirates of playing a destabilizing role in several African conflicts through support for armed groups, logistical networks, and regional interventions. The report focuses particularly on Sudan, Libya, the Horn of Africa, and Yemen, while also criticizing Western governments for avoiding direct public criticism of Abu Dhabi.

Tunisian Army Denies Rumors of a Power Grab✓

Tunisia’s military has publicly reaffirmed its neutrality amid growing political tensions and speculation about its role in the country’s future. The rare statement from the Ministry of Defense comes as Tunisia faces mounting economic, political, and institutional pressures, raising questions about the military’s relationship with President Kais Saied and its role in preserving state stability.

Written by The NAJ

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.